The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-08
A GaAND EYE OPENING.
THE EMAsCULiTED WATER ELL
A STARTLING REVELATION.
Operations Under lis Restrictions
Almost lmposslble-Some Clear
Cut Views.

Comments on the revised water bill,
published yesterday morning, were
numerously heard during the day, snd
from their tenor sore disappointment
is abroad in the city. II seems the
people knew not the importance Of
the proposed changes in the bill until
they saw II complete in print, with the
tsxiug power OF the District Topped off
and the clause inserted that no tax
should DO collected until a contract
for construction or purchase wss
made.
In his rounds yesterday the writer
heard number Of EXPRESSIONS Of opin-
ion, some Of them from the bitter OPP
poneDts OF the original bill.
President HaddeD, when approached
on the subj,ci, confessed himself in
the dark as to how to proceed under
the prospective law, and had little to
say. II was bis opinion, however,
that the revised measure cut the
wrong way for those apparently most
deeply interested. He called on Judge
Latham, Of the old company, who mad
repeatedly offered to sell the plant,
ard asked II he could, as business
man, consider any proposition from
the city to purchase undsr such terms.
The Judge answered at once that be
could not. He WIS fur her asked II he
thought there was any likelihood of
the necessary sum being rsised by the
means prescribed. This the Judge
declined to answer outright, but his
manner indicated negative impress.
sion. Judge Latham may be more
than anxious to dispose OF his interest
in the pres mt plant, but be Is by far
too shrswd q business man TO do 30
under the present status OF affairs.
"Some time ago." continued the
President, II refused TO pay the water
company for the unsatisfac ;oIy supply
furnished the city, until all complaints
from cit Zsns were hushed. The Judge,
appreciatlng the stu ition and know.
ing that this state could not be rescued
unless soout $4,000 were expended
for additional machinery, has never
brought the matter to an issue. When
informed OF nv determination lie
merely asked, What are veto dor /
answered, Pump more mud Ex-
peCting that the company would dis
pose of it's property and get out of the
business, such an outlay was not
deemed advisable, and the supply is
still to scant too silence the howls.
"When the fist meeting OF citiE ms
YVES held at the Cotton Exchange in
reference to the Midland railroad
project, Col. Josiah Patterson, sttor.
ney for the proposed road, and also
for the water company, argued in ia
vor of tho city and county voting
financial aid, reasoning that the sub
scription asked was only $500. 900, the
interest on which, at per cent
would be $4,000, To offset this, the
value OF the property brought within
reach Of taxation would be 5000, 600.
The Colonel argued the point dsrned
we'll and l agreed with him in a sue
ceeding speech. But went further,
and said that was just the policy l bad
been trying for months to inculcate
into the minds of the people, namely :
Spend money and get coed sssst, and
thereby turn the thing into good in
v sment. They knew l hsd reference
t) the water works, and the Colonel
smiled at the way his own argument
had been turned sgainst him."
odd It ever strike you" continued
The President, after a pause, "that this
'%a'er bin will have dampening effect
on the ardor Of ths people for the Mid
land IaiIroadP l am afraid you will
find it just that way. The people,
through as strong and representative
a protest as ever saw, have declared
against assuming any liability what
ever, and that is the only way they
can secure the road. II they are OPP
posed to issuing bonds to secure such
a valuable and necessary institution
as wa or worke, why Is 1t presumed
they will hold directly opposite view
when 1t comes TO a rairoAdP 1 am
sorry this is the case, for we need both
OF the enterprisee, and they would re
dound greatly to the progressive inter-
oats Of the citv